Gallery: Bear Grylls meets scouts at Burghley House

More than 500 beavers, cubs and scouts from Stamford and Bourne and 100 more from Rutland met chief scout Bear Grylls during an adventure day at Burghley House.

The youngsters were among about 1, 400 young people from across the county, who took part in a range of exciting activities including quad biking, archery, climbing, bungee trampolining, and water zorbing on Saturday.

Bear Grylls, who has recently been re-appointed as Chief Scout extending his term until 2018, dropped into the event by helicopter for just under an hour to meet young people, and join in with the activities.

He said: “I am so proud that the largest youth movement on the planet has asked me to re-new as their UK Chief Scout. Between now and 2018 I plan to do all that I possibly can to help the Movement to continue to grow, become more reflective of the communities in which it works in and change the lives of even more young people.”

Melissa Tupholme, from Bourne, was one of the young people escorting Bear around the event, which she described as “surreal”.

She added: “All the time he was telling us how much he loved scouting, and how days like this really show off the best bits.”

Sophie Stuart-Jones, seven, a beaver Scout from Uppingham, was able to speak to Bear.

She said: “I drew a picture of Bear landing on his helicopter at the activity day, and brought it with me. He signed it for me and I feel really happy that I met him.”

The adventure day provided activities for scouts aged six to 18, and was supported by more than 250 volunteers, who Bear was keen to thank.

The day was part of a whistle-stop mission called Bear in the Air for the adventurer to visit scouts across the East Midlands.